Despite Cuts, Simsbury Officials Strive to Maintain Transportation Services

For the past two years the town of Simsbury Department of Social Services has strived to maintain its transportation services for the elderly and disabled despite cuts in a state grant program that has allowed the town to offer expanded services.

Resdient Daniel Crowley attended the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday night to urge officials to find a way to replace funding to the town's Dial-A-Ride program, a service he said was vital to many seniors in town.

"How much does it cost to bring a few people who are in dire need, or too old, or can't see to drive, to bring them to their out-of-town medical appointments," Crowley asked.

First Selectman Mary Glassman told Crowley and other seniors in attendance that the town was dealing with funding issues due to cuts in state funding and is working to find new alternatives.

"The people are just fed up with inaction by politicians," Crowley said. "It takes deciscive action to get things done."

In the past, a state Department of Transportation grant allowed the town to offer two free out-of-town rides for medical purposes to seniors and disabled individuals who don't have access to transportation or can't afford the cost of a paid service.

The town first received the $33,000 annual grant in 2006 but starting in 2011 the grant was cut by $10,000, according to Director of Social Services Mickey Lecours-Beck.

Due to the decrease in grant funding, the town now only offers one free out-of-town ride.

The grant was awarded to the town to be used for the regular Dial-A-Ride service, but officials saw an opportunity to offer an expanded service to residents.

"We chose to use it for out-of-town medical transportation," Lecours-Beck said. "I saw a need for people who needed it for medical rides."

The regular Dial-A-Ride service offers in-town rides to seniors and disabled residents in addition to weekly trips to Avon and Granby.

Crowley also criticized town officials for discontinuing rides to the VA Hospital in Newington.

"We did start restricting our operations," Lecours-Beck said. "It's just inefficient to take one person at a time down to Newington."

Town officials have recognized the hardship the cuts have caused residents who have come to rely on the expanded services and have begun working on alternative solutions.

"We responded to this and came up with a whole list of transportation resources," Lecours-Beck said.

The Social Services Department now provides residents with a list of local taxi services and other transportation alternatives, most of which charge a fee.

"If you are unable to pay, we will help you," Lecours-Beck said.

The Department of Social Services has sought additional funding from private donors to make up the difference when residents need assistance with medical rides.

"Essentially we have to do more with less," Lecours-Beck said. "We won't turn anyone away."

For information on the town's Dial-A-Ride service or alternative transportation services, visit the Department of Social Services website or call 860-658-3283.